Brennan: Attributes Success to “Very Very Capable System”

At WH presser, counterterror topper says, “We are right now working to make sure we stay as vigilant as possible.”

Gibbs:

“This is an active investigation involving sensitive intelligence so there’s a limit to what John will be talk about.”
“The president’s not going to change his schedule and there’s no cause for Americans to change their schedule.”
“We will take the opportunity if need be throughout the weekend to continue to update the public.”

Brennan:

“We are working very closely with our partners in Yemen, and United Arab Emirates and as well as the United Kingdom as well as other countries as well.
“What we’re trying to do now is make sure we are able to address any other threats that might be out there.”
“The forensic analysis is underway.”
“The device that was uncovered was intended to do harm.”
“I don’t want to speculate at this moment in terms of what the damage could be from the devices.”
“We don’t want to presume that we know the bounds of this plot…we just want to…insure the safety and security of air travel at this point.”
“We have taken some steps to insure that packages that come from Yemen are going to be carefully screened.”
“I would say that over the past 22 months or so …there has been a steady improvement [with the Yemeni government]…We’ve found that they are courageous partners. Many Yemenis have lost their lives in the battle against al-Qaeda.”
“I think the American people should feel particularly good that since 9/11 the U.S. government has built up a very very capable system and robust intelligence… system.”
“There were two packages one in Dubai and one in East Midlands, and both of them were addressed to synagogues in Chicago.”
“We are right now working to make sure we stay as vigilant as possible.”
“We were looking for packages that were of concern.”
“This just demonstrates to us and the Yemenis that we have to re-double our efforts to destroy al-Qaeda and we will.”
Outside of the al-Qaeda leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan, “Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is the most active.”